BRENDAN - This week we got the chance to try out a Swedish Saab for
the first time, so I thought I'd bone up on Saab history. The company
hasn't really been around a long time. It was founded in '37 in
Trollhattan, Sweden. The Saab name is really an acronym standing for
Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget and as the name implies, it originally
just made airplanes but after World War II, the company started making
cars that were adapted from the pre-war German DKW. That first Saab was
a little two-cylinder coupe that was dead-ugly, but it had been designed
by aviation engineers so aerodynamics were the main consideration.

MIKELE - Now that General Motors controls the company, things have
changed at Saab. It's now associated with style, performance, and luxury
and the new 9-5 SE station wagon we tried is an example of Saab going
mainstream. There are three different engines available in the 9-5
wagon, including two different four-cylinder turbos. But our tester was
powered by a potent 3.0-liter V6 that's turbocharged to put out 200
horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque. It's front-wheel drive, as are
most cars today, but all Saab cars have been front-drive ever since Saab
Number One rolled out of the factory more than 50 years ago. The
four-speed automatic transmission on the 9-5 is smooth, but I'm
surprised that Saab doesn't offer an automatic stick-shift, especially
in hot models like the turbo V6.

BRENDAN - It sounds like you've been doing some boning up too,
Mikele. This 9-5 not only goes good, it handles very well, too, The
Swedes are great on designing cars for cold weather that has lots of
snow, so its traction control system is standard equipment on all the
versions of the car. It's an all-speed system that modulates the
also-standard anti-lock braking and an electronic throttle control
system to get the best grip on the road when the going gets tough.

MIKELE - I'm impressed with that last statement Bren, even though it
sounds like it was borrowed from Saab's PR folks. But mechanicals aside,
I was more impressed with the Saab's interior. It was loaded to the
gills, featuring every creature comfort known to the automotive world.
It's been cold at night around here lately, so I really appreciated the
heated front seats. And as expected, the front seats are electrically
adjustable to fit nearly any build. The driver's seat even has a memory
function, so it will automatically adjust to your own personal setting.
The automatic climate control had separate heating controls for the
driver and passenger, which was great because I get cold easy and you're
always hot. The sound system is one of those hot-shot combination AM/FM
radio/CD/cassette units with 200 watts of power blasting through eight
speakers.

BRENDAN - Our dogs have learned to enjoy these station wagons when
we get them because it's easy for them to hop up on the tailgate. The
rear area has a pair of special aluminum rails embedded into the floor,
and they use adjustable one-grip locks and load-securing belts to make
sure that cargo doesn't shift around during sudden stops.

MIKELE - I've always loved electrically-operated and heated exterior
mirrors, and the 9-5 wagon had them. It also had an auto-dimming
interior rear view mirror for those pesky high beams that come up from
behind. There were cup holders in the dash, console and rear center
armrest, which were quite easy to reach and useful, and a glass sunroof
is a bonus. Outside, our Saab was very sleek and modern although it's
still recognizable as a Saab. The cars have always had a certain look.

BRENDAN - Its 16-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels gave it a hot
"street-racer" appearance. Driver and passenger airbags are standard, as
are head and torso side airbags. Child seat top tether anchors and
heat-absorbing glass makes it a great kiddie transporter and in case
bad-guys get ideas about ripping off a Saab 9-5 for a joy ride, the Saab
anti-theft alarm system immobilizes the electrical system. It's the best
way to stop thieves from stealing a car.

MIKELE - Those two big dogs that we usually have in the car do a
pretty good job too, Bren.